INDIAN PIONEER PAPERS
University of Oklahoma Western History Collection
Volume 109-microfiche #6016974

Elizabeth Ross
No.4251-4590
S-149
May 27, 1937

"CREEK TOWN"

The term "Creek Town" is seldom heard at the present
time, but in bygone years it was of frequent mention. Reference was not
to a town in the generally accepted meaning of the term, but to a small
settlement, the people of which really belonged to the Creek Tribe.

When the several Indian tribes were being removed from the east of the
Mississippi river to Indian Territory, during the thirties
of the nineteenth century, small numbers of Creek citizens, living
at the borders of the original Cherokee country, were removed along
with the Cherokees. They were in groups which settled here and there
in the regions set apart for the Cherokees. Through an Act of
Cherokee National Council, these small bodies of Creeks were
given the rights of Cherokees and allowed to continue in occupancy
of the lands upon which they had established themselves.

One of the oldest Creek Settlements was that which was made a
short distance south of the confluence of the Barren Fork river with
the Illinois, some five to six miles southeast of Tahlequah,
and immediately east of the Park Hill locality. These Creeks
built themselves log houses, with wooden chimneys, lined inside with
thin pieces of stone, or with adhesive clay or mortar made
from lime and sand. They cultivated small tracts of the fertile land,
raising corn and beans and a variety of the sweet potato
known as the "Spanish potato". They used mortars in which
to pound their corn into hominy grits, and hunted in
the woodlands and caught or speared fish in the streams. Small
wooden houses were built above the graves of deceased members
of the small community, which was known as Creek Town. The women
of the town rode forth on peddling expeditions at times, offering fish,
fresh or barbecued, hominy grits, sweet potatoes, or huckleberries
and wild onions in season, and occasionally carried eggs and
chickens for sale or barter.

The Creeks were peculiar people. Upon arriving at a home out in
the more extensive settlements, they rode up as near to the fence or gate
as possible and there remained silent, waiting for someone to appear from
the house. Never was a call or hello made. Statue-like the women peddlers
remained patiently waiting. If no one appeared, they turned their ponies
and rode away.

It was said that most of the members of Creek Town were not full-blood
members of the Creek Nation but were Euchees, members of a
once powerful tribe which has been reduced by wars and pestilences, finally
being incorporated into the Creek Tribe.

In course of time the number living in the so-called town became few
and eventually all disappeared but until the beginning of 1890 several were
yet alive. New owners now live in the section once occupied by Creek
Town, and they are now remembered by a comparatively few persons of
today.

On Christmas day it was a custom of the members of the settlement
to make a great deal of noise with their firearms, firing their guns
throughout the day, beginning in the early morning.

In settlement of an old claim against the Government the Creek Town
people once received a good-sized monetary payment and led a merry life
while the money lasted. Among those whose names are yet recalled by some
few persons, are those of John, Thompson and Jim, whose surname
was Cane, for they lived in the midst of tall wild cane and woodlands.
There was also Creek John, sometimes called John Walker; also
Creek Lem, Creek Ned; two men who were known as old Creek
Arch and young Creek Arch; Figgylumby, an aged woman;
and Big Betsy, Walking Betsy, Kayaugi, and Hepsy.

Note: This article was written from personal recollections. Elizabeth
Ross.